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Mind the Digital Gap: The Role of Regional-Level General and Digital Human Capital in Shaping ICT Use of Different Types of Entrepreneurs

Author

Listed:
  • Juan D. Ramos-Poyatos

    (Quantitative Methods and Economic History, Pablo de Olavide University
    Andalusian Statistical Office)

  • Jorge Barrientos-Marín

    (University of Antioquia)

  • Ana Millán

    (Pablo de Olavide University)

  • José María Millán

    (University of Huelva)

  • André Stel

    (Trinity College Dublin
    Kozminski University)

Abstract

We investigate determinants of the frequency of ICT usage of three types of self-employed workers—self-employed with employees, independent own-account self-employed, and dependent self-employed workers—in 305 European NUTS-2 regions. Besides individual-level determinants, we also investigate the role of regional-level general human capital and of regional-level digital human capital, which capture distinct sources of regional knowledge spillovers. Our results show clear evidence for both types of spillover effects to exist. Moreover, we find that these effects also contribute to a convergence process in ICT use frequency (i) among the three types of self-employed within a given region and (ii) among regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan D. Ramos-Poyatos & Jorge Barrientos-Marín & Ana Millán & José María Millán & André Stel, 2025. "Mind the Digital Gap: The Role of Regional-Level General and Digital Human Capital in Shaping ICT Use of Different Types of Entrepreneurs," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(3), pages 11445-11483, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s13132-024-02100-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-02100-x
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • L53 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Enterprise Policy
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe

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